Method and apparatus for voice control user interface with discreet operating mode

Abstract

An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more proximity sensors to detect objects proximately located with a housing of the electronic device. Where there are none, a timer can be initiated. Upon expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is greater than the first distance and the second output level is greater than the first output level.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 operating a voice control interface engine of an electronic device in a first mode operative to receive a speech command from a first distance and produce, in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level; 
 monitoring, with one or more processors of the electronic device, one or more proximity sensors to detect an object proximately located with a housing of the electronic device while operating the voice control interface engine in the first mode; 
 detecting, by the one or more processors from the one or more proximity sensors, removal of the object from the housing of the electronic device; 
 upon detecting removal of the object, initiating a timer with the one or more processors; and 
 upon expiration of the timer, causing, with the one or more processors, the voice control interface engine to transition to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level; 
 the second distance greater than the first distance and the second output level greater than the first output level. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , the one or more proximity sensors comprising one or more proximity sensor components. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , each proximity sensor component comprising an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from the object. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , the one or more proximity sensors comprising one or more proximity detector components. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, by the one or more processors from the one or more proximity sensors, the object or another object proximately located with the housing of the electronic device prior to expiration of the timer; and 
 continuing operating the voice control interface engine in the first mode. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , the initiating comprising setting the timer to five seconds or less. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , the initiating comprising setting the timer to three seconds. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from a user interface, a predefined user input prior to expiration of the timer; and 
 causing, with the one or more processors, the voice control interface engine to transition to the second mode in response to the receiving the predefined user input. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , the predefined user input comprising a predefined gesture input. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising redirecting the audible output to a loudspeaker of the electronic device. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus comprising:
 a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level; 
 one or more proximity sensors; 
 a timer; 
 one or more processors operable with the one or more proximity sensors and the timer, the one or more processors to:
 detect, from the one or more proximity sensors, removal of an object from a location proximately disposed with a housing of the apparatus; 
 initiate the timer; and 
 upon expiration of the timer, transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level; 
 
 the second distance greater than the first distance and the second output level greater than the first output level. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , the first mode comprising a discreet mode of operation. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 11 , the one or more processors further to detect, with the one or more proximity sensors, the object or another object becoming proximately located with the housing prior to expiration of the timer and, in response, to continue operating the voice control interface engine in the first mode. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 11 , the one or more processors to detect a predefined user input prior to expiration of the timer and, in response, to continue operating the voice control interface engine in the first mode. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , the predefined user input comprising a gesture input. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 14 , the predefined user input comprising a touch input. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 , the predefined user input comprising a predefined movement of the apparatus. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 11 , the voice control interface engine operative in the second mode to output the audible output from a second loudspeaker different from the loudspeaker. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 11 , the timer having a timer duration of five seconds or less. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 11 , the one or more proximity sensors comprising each comprising proximity sensor components.